Comparison

StepPolyArp vs mfxStrip

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

StepPolyArp

This app functions as a real-time polyphonic and polyrhythmic MIDI step arpeggiator and sequencer. It can generate melodic patterns from input or operate as a standalone sequencer. Save and sync unlimited presets with iCloud, featuring extensive customization for patterns and step controllers.

Highlights
  • Standalone app and AUv3 MIDI effect plugin
  • Arpeggiator and step sequencer modes
  • Programmable step matrix with transposition lines
  • Polyrhythmic step controllers
  • Internal sound bank
  • Ableton Link and MIDI sync support
  • Unlimited preset saving with iCloud sync
Features
Read full description

"StepPolyArp" is a real-time polyphonic and polyrhythmic MIDI step arpeggiator and step sequencer. It can be used as a standalone application or as an AUv3 MIDI effect plug-in. The application and the plug-in can operate as a step arpeggiator, automatically generating melodic patterns from played notes or chords, or as a step sequencer that does not require MIDI input to play. Unlimited presets can be saved locally and synchronized with iCloud. Each preset contains 16 patterns, 5 customizable polyrhythmic step controllers, and a 32-step event matrix with 11 polyphonic and polyrhythmic lines driving the arpeggiator engine. The application supports full internal and external MIDI connections for input and output, Ableton Link synchronization, and MIDI clock synchronization. An internal sound bank is included. The AUv3 MIDI effect plug-in supports multiple instances. A compatible host is required to run the plug-in. The host must support the Audio Unit v3 (AUv3) MIDI effect format. Hosts supporting AUv3 MIDI effect on iOS: Logic Pro, Cubasis, Beatmaker, AUM, Audiobus, NanoStudio, Auria Pro, apeMatrix. Hosts supporting AUv3 MIDI effect on macOS: Logic Pro 10.7 or later. Features: • Standalone application and AUv3 MIDI effect plug-in • Arpeggiator and step sequencer mode • 1 to 32-step programmable matrix • 11 configurable transposition lines • Polyrhythmic lines and clock dividers per line • Mute by line • Gate, velocity, probability, random pitch, random gate, and random velocity per event • 16 patterns by preset • Automatic pattern chaining • 8-octave resizable keyboard • Multitasking support • Stop "Audio Background" automatically after inactivity (15 min, 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, or never) • Sample-accurate timing • Internal sound bank • Tap tempo • Receiving MIDI from external MIDI sources • Receiving external MIDI sync (MIDI clock) • Ableton Link support • Internal routing of inputs, outputs, and MIDI sync • Send MIDI to a virtual port usable as MIDI input by other "Core MIDI" compatible apps • Default velocity, modulation, pan, volume, aftertouch, and pitch bend step controllers • Customizable MIDI setup for step controllers • Arpeggiator and sequencer can conform to the selected scale • Predefined scales and possibility to create custom scales • 6 arpeggiator modes • 1 random mode • 1 chord mode • Randomization panel for generating random patterns with a large number of parameters to control the result • Preset manager with support for in-app purchase packs • "Program Change" support • Preset sharing via "AirDrop", "Mail", "Messages", and other supported services • Native iCloud support • "iCloud Drive" support in the "Files" app on iOS and "Finder" on macOS • Full support of "Windowed Apps" mode on iPad • Undo/Redo • Lockable keyboard (latch mode) Supported MIDI connections: • Virtual "Core MIDI" connections between applications • Any compatible MIDI interface • MIDI over Wi-Fi • MIDI over Bluetooth • Ableton Link (sync and transport)

About

mfxStrip

This MIDI effect plugin offers a collection of essential MIDI manipulations in a single package. It allows for filtering and remapping of channels and notes, and can convert a polyphonic keyboard into a monophonic one. Designed for CoreMIDI or AUv3 hosts, it provides powerful control over MIDI data.

Highlights
  • MIDI channel filtering
  • MIDI channel remapping
  • Note remapping
  • Polyphonic to monophonic conversion
  • AUv3 plugin format
  • CoreMIDI support
Features
Read full description

* MIDI CHANNEL STRIP * (AUv3 or CoreMIDI Effect) Some of the most commonly used MIDI manipulations in one handy package. This is MidiFire's Channel Strip module in AUv3 format. - Filter and remap channels - Remap notes - Turn your poly keyboard in to a mono one * ABOUT mfxSeries * mfxSeries is a set of compact but powerful plugins for CoreMIDI or AUv3 hosts. Covering a range of use cases from common everyday MIDI manipulation tasks to creatively ambitious effects. Each plugin in the mfxSeries can be controlled and automated from the host as all controls are exposed as AUv3 parameters. mfxSeries plugins are built using the MidiBus library - http://midib.us

Screenshots

StepPolyArp3 screens
mfxStrip1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: mfxStrip at $2.99 against StepPolyArp's $19.99. mfxStrip also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). StepPolyArp's advantage is review sentiment (87% vs 50%) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 8 months). On ads, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

StepPolyArp costs $19.99 and mfxStrip $2.99 up front. StepPolyArp sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. mfxStrip asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

mfxStrip holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: StepPolyArp has 48 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 87% of StepPolyArp's written reviews are positive against 50% of mfxStrip's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

StepPolyArp ships an update every 2 months, mfxStrip every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
StepPolyArp versus mfxStrip: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStepPolyArpmfxStrip
Price$19.99$2.99 — better
Rating4.8 (48 ratings)5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews87.0% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings48 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 8 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.09.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size38 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLaurent ColsonAudeonic Apps

Customer experience

StepPolyArp

All ratings48 ratings
Positive97.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative2.1%
Written reviews46 reviews
Positive87.0%
Neutral6.5%
Negative6.5%

mfxStrip

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

StepPolyArp

One-time2
  • Dance Horizons$4.99
  • Analog Sequence$4.99
None

mfxStrip

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is StepPolyArp free?
StepPolyArp costs $19.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is mfxStrip free?
mfxStrip costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, StepPolyArp or mfxStrip?
mfxStrip is rated higher. StepPolyArp averages 4.8 out of 5 from 48 ratings, while mfxStrip averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.
Do StepPolyArp or mfxStrip have ads?
Neither StepPolyArp nor mfxStrip shows ads.
Which is updated more often, StepPolyArp or mfxStrip?
StepPolyArp ships an update every 2 months, and mfxStrip every 8 months. Most recently, StepPolyArp was updated on October 15, 2026 and mfxStrip on October 9, 2026.

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